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After recovering her spiritual pressure, Yeriel’s Bankai was nothing short of spectacular. Due to her fusion with a Hollow, Engetsu had undergone a mutation. The blade and the Hollow had become one, forcing a transformation upon the Zanpakuto that manifested within its Bankai state.
While it wasn't a standard Hollowification, a mask and horns formed upon her face, and her Reiatsu shifted entirely from that of a Soul Reaper to a Hollow. Her silhouette was eerily similar to Ichigo’s Full Hollowfication. Furthermore, she was no longer limited to the Soul Reaper’s Shunpo; she utilized Sonído and even discharged Cero. It was a staggering metamorphosis.
While I left Yeriel to train and master the volatile power of her altered Bankai, I dispatched a few Arrancars I had prepared to the World of the Living to encounter Ichigo’s group. Of course, they were nothing more than disposable pawns—propaganda tools designed solely to announce the existence of Arrancars to the Soul Reapers.
“It’s time to get things moving.”
The Arrancars I sent for publicity were slaughtered mercilessly, but that was more than enough. Next, I just need to send Ulquiorra and Yammy. Once the Soul Reapers realize that fully-realized Arrancars exist, they’ll be forced to send Hitsugaya’s advance squad to the World of the Living.
“Now that I think about it, I don't necessarily have to stick to the original script. I suppose I was being too soft.”
My previous plan had been conventional. Just like in the manga, the next Espada to be sent were Ulquiorra and Yammy. The surface objective was to observe Ichigo, but the real goal was to let Is see Orihime’s power. By kidnapping Orihime and baiting Ichigo into Las Noches, we would heighten the Soul Reapers' vigilance regarding the Espada and the Hogyoku, forcing them to deploy their Captains—killing three birds with one stone.
After that, I could use the kidnapped Orihime to restore the broken masks of Nelliel and her Fracción, tasking them with handling the others while Ichigo is occupied. This would quickly eliminate four threats from the board without costing us a single casualty. Even if Nelliel might struggle to face four opponents simultaneously if she held back, with her Fracción helping, victory would be guaranteed.
That was certainly a flawless strategy. However, if I didn’t feel obligated to follow the original plot, the narrative would change entirely. I first summoned Ulquiorra and Yammy and gave them their orders.
“Ulquiorra, Yammy. Descend upon the World of the Living and show them a glimpse of your power.”
“Understood, Lord Lucifer.”
After Ulquiorra and Yammy vanished into a Garganta, I immediately began drafting the next phase of the operation. Sending those two was merely the opening bell. The moment they return, the real war begins—a struggle for survival between Soul Reapers and Hollows.
As expected, Ulquiorra did not kill Ichigo, and Orihime caught Is’s eye. With this, the primary preparations were complete. Of course, Grimmjow was dissatisfied that Ichigo had been left alive. The friction between Ulquiorra and Grimmjow had always been there, much like how Nnoitra despised Nelliel. Grimmjow loathed Ulquiorra. However, if Grimmjow were to act impulsively and head to the World of the Living now, my plan would turn to ash.
“Do not move rashly, Grimmjow. We are staking everything on this war. If the plan goes awry because of your singular ego, we all face death.”
“Tch!”
“However, it wouldn’t do to just sit still, would it?”
I neutralized Grimmjow’s impulsive streak for the moment. Then, I shared the details of my plan with Is and the other Espada. Since it was a meticulously crafted blueprint, everyone nodded in agreement. Even Grimmjow smirked after hearing the plan, signaling that everything was perfectly aligned.
“Good. We execute the plan in three days. Complete your individual preparations by then.”
With those final words, they all retreated to their respective palaces. Once again, only Is and I remained to speak in private.
“Is, I trust you saw Inoue Orihime’s power?”
“Indeed. A fascinating ability. Phenomena Rejection... to reject and negate anything that has occurred, reverting it to a state as if it never happened. It is a power that tramples even the laws of God.”
“Exactly. That is why I want to use Inoue Orihime’s power to perfect the Hogyokus. Both of the incomplete ones.”
Neither the Hogyoku created by Kisuke nor the one made by Is was truly complete. To be precise, they were both at roughly 50% capacity. Though both are hailed as geniuses, they failed to achieve the Hogyoku’s true completion. However, if we utilize Orihime’s power, we can bring the Hogyoku to its finished state without needing to merge the two. It would exert 100% of its power. Of course, this requires Orihime’s cooperation, but I wasn't worried.
“Inoue Orihime and Yeriel were originally inseparable friends. If Yeriel persuades her, we can bring Inoue Orihime to our side without lifting a finger.”
“But Ruel, your Fracción is also friends with that Ryoka, Kurosaki Ichigo. Have you considered the possibility of betrayal?”
Is’s point was sharp. Before she was Orihime’s friend, Yeriel was Ichigo’s childhood companion. But that was irrelevant. Yeriel was already at a point where she could neither disobey my orders nor entertain thoughts of betrayal.
“There is no need for concern. Once the next phase is complete, you must immediately prepare for what follows.”
“Very well. I shall look forward to Ruel’s plan.”
“Naturally. Failure is not an option.”
Is smiled, and I mirrored the expression. In three days, the true battle would commence.
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